World War One Overview

Introduction

• Main Topic: Explanation of World War One, including its causes, events, and aftermath.
• Key Term: MANIA
  • Acronym for the causes of World War One:
    • Militarism: Building armies, desire for dominance.
    • Alliances: Formed unions creating false dilemmas.
    • Nationalism: Pride and ego for one's country.
    • Imperialism: Hunger to conquer and control.
    • Assassination: Killing of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.

Causes and Early 20th Century Context

• Imperialism: Colonization led to global competition for resources.
• New Competitor: Post-Franco-Prussian War Germany becomes a significant power.
• Alliances:
  • Triple Entente: Russia, France, Britain.
  • Triple Alliance: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Italy.

Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

• Event: Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated in June 1914 by Gavrilo Princip.
• Aftermath: Austria blames Serbia, leading to war declarations.
  • Russia supports Serbia.
  • Germany backs Austria-Hungary.

The Great War Begins

• Arms Race: Countries build armies in preparation.
• Schlieffen Plan: Germany's strategy to quickly defeat France before focusing on Russia.
• Failure: France defends and pushes Germany back.

Total War

• Definition: Entire nations dedicated to war effort.
• Examples:
  • Rationing resources.
  • Victory Gardens.
  • Propaganda.

Warfare and Fronts

• Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire.
• Allies: France, Russia, Britain, later U.S.
• Technological Advances: Tanks, machine guns, airplanes, etc.
• Trench Warfare:
  • No-Man’s Land: Deadly battlefield zone.
  • Trench Life: Disease, shell shock, harsh conditions.
  • Mustard Gas: Chemical weapon causing brain damage.

Political Changes and U.S. Involvement

• Russian Revolution: Fall of Czar Nicholas II; Lenin rises to power.
  • Russia Withdraws from war to focus on internal development.
• U.S. Joins: Enters war officially in April 1917.
  • Partially in response to Germany attacking supply ships.

Conclusion of the War

• End Date: November 11, 1918.
• Outcome: Germany surrenders due to resource depletion and U.S. involvement.
• Aftermath:
  • 37 million casualties.
  • Central Powers lose territory (Austria-Hungary split, Ottoman Empire reduced).
  • Set stage for World War Two.
  • Collapse of monarchies like the Habsburgs.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the key causes, events, and outcomes of World War One, forming an essential guide for understanding this pivotal period in history.